False Prophets

[team_v]

a diesel will always be more efficient, period.

A diesel will be more efficient while petrol is the only viable alternative.
Give it 5-10 years and hydrogen/electic cars will be all over diesel and hit max torque from 0-10k RPM

However we are talking about torque so efficiency has nothing to do with it.

I just had a look on carsales and in QLD the cheapest S3 you will be able to get is $22k.

[KWICKS]

$15,000 is not going to get you anywhere near AWD and a turbo

sorry I lie

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=32921

Not a bad option, but he wants a WRX. AWD, turbo, sub 15k, petrol. Solved.

WRX here for illustrative purposes

An S3 near budget would be a car I'd be very cautious about buying...

[oracle1]

I notice there are lots of Audi 1.8t approx 1997-2001 from 10 - 15 grand intercooled 5 speed . Lot of the ads don't mention if they are AWD. Was AWD standard or an option on these vehicles. Thanks for all the advice guys, didnt mean to stir on diesel vs petrol (not), I am getting old and crusty and love my diesel, this car is for my younger brother.

[Mrk_Mickey]

The Audi A4 1.8t's came in quattro, and in two wheel drive i THINK, but if we're talking A3 then no, only the S3's came with AWD

[dubsweeper]

I notice there are lots of Audi 1.8t approx 1997-2001 from 10 - 15 grand intercooled 5 speed . Lot of the ads don't mention if they are AWD. Was AWD standard or an option on these vehicles. Thanks for all the advice guys, didnt mean to stir on diesel vs petrol (not), I am getting old and crusty and love my diesel, this car is for my younger brother.

i still have my audi a4 quattro turbo for sale still ! had only a little interest in it ??
Its completly stock , mint leather and paint with all logs ect !!! if you need to know more pm me , its going cheap as i want to actually sell it its a fine example of an audi qt in its origial form , shane

[gregozedobe]

I am getting old and crusty and love my diesel, this car is for my younger brother.

I'm (probably) even older, so I'm going to give some practical advice on the $$$ side of things. Before he buys anything, do some research on:

Insurance - can he get it at a price he is willing to pay ? Some older "performance" cars cost more than is really sensible, especially if the driver is younger, has a non-clean driving record and/or lives somewhere the insurance company doesn't like.

Issues - are there known problems with the model ? Is it reliable enough for its intended purpose. Is it due for a mega-expensive service ? Some things (eg electrics, gearboxes, cam belts/tensioners) can be quite expensive compared with the purchase cost of the s'hand vehicle. And then you need to allow for contingencies (unknowns). I had an old Alfa Romeo that was a classic example of this. I bought it for $2,000 (with a new clutch thrown in), 6 months later it needed a new starter motor. The local AR dealer wanted $2,300 for a new one !!!! I got my starter reconditioned for $250.

Running costs - how much will it cost to put fuel into it, what regular maintenance will be needed ? Can he afford that amount each week ?

Is it a car he can live with every day ? Some people buy cars that are great fun for a short test drive, but are just too hardcore (or too wallowy) to put up with in the daily grind to and from work (too highly tuned, suspension too harsh/soft, etc etc).

Is the title clear or is there finance owing ? Use REVs to check.

And the last question - What is the REAL reason the seller is getting rid of it ? A bit of clever questioning can reveal more than what the seller really wants you to know.